This study asks whether empathy for racial outgroups predicts greater opposition to state-level voting restrictions, and whether that relationship depends on awareness that such laws are racially targeted. Using multiple national surveys from 2018–2024, the authors examine links between outgroup empathy, political sophistication, and attitudes toward a suite of laws that increase the burden on eligible voters after Shelby County v. Holder.
Why Do States Privatize Their Prisons? The Unintended Consequences of Inmate Litigation
New research reveals a strategy where political actors engineer policies to weaken opponents. Focusing on conservative advocacy against public sector unions, the Conservative network-backed legislation resulted in significant declines in union density and revenue across states. This weakening of unions had consequences for public participation by diminishing their collective power.
Does judicial review by unelected judges damage public support for their decisions? This question has often been answered yes.
Primary elections often reveal how campaigns influence voter opinions beyond just vote choice. Using polling data and panel internet surveys, this study finds voters in state primaries learn about candidate ideologies for senate and governor races, directly affecting their decisions. However, similar learning effects were not observed for down-ballot positions like lieutenant governor or secretary of state, suggesting distinct dynamics shape voter behavior at different levels.
Does the partisan makeup of state governments shape where foreign multinationals locate? The article argues yes: partisan differences in state economic-development strategies persist, and foreign firms value elements of both parties' approaches. Republicans tend to favor an investment-driven (supply-side) growth model, while Democrats favor a consumption-driven (demand-side) model. Because each approach offers distinct benefits to multinational firms, a blend of policies—most likely produced under split (divided) state government—makes those states especially attractive.
This study introduces a novel measure of the Christian Right's political influence within state Republican parties.
How do we measure partisan balance in state governments?